In
attendance from the Board of Supervisors was Barbara N.
Lyons, Chairman: E. Thomas Scarborough, Jr, Vice Chairman;
Cynthia Philo and Jeffrey Bennett. From the Ways and Means
Committee: Mark Glassman and Ed Ebenbach. Staff in
attendance: William Wightman, Finance Officer; Richard
John, Director of Operations; Stephen White, Chief of
Police; Sinclair Salisbury, Director of Code Enforcement;
Karen Sweeney, Director of Parks & Recreation and Stephanie
Mason, Township Manager.
Absent:
Mrs. Eisenhardt
Mr.
Wightman requested that the Board of Supervisors commits to
increasing the Fixed Assets threshold from $500 to $5,000 as
recommended by the State and Auditors. Mrs. Lyons made a
motion to request the Township’s approval the Fixed Assets
threshold be raised from $500.00 to $5,000.00, seconded by
Mr. Scarborough. Motion was adopted 3 to 1 with Ms. Philo
voting nay, due to her belief that tracking theft in
identifying inventory remain in place.
As per the
last Budget Work Session, Mr. Glassman clarified several
items. First being fund balances were secured by aligning
expenditures with the appropriate fund balance due to a
$79,000.00 deficiency in highway fund. In reworking the
capital expenditures in removing one project we were able to
utilize the capital reserves fund to offset these funds.
The second item was addressed with a memo from Township
Manager, Stephanie J. Mason regarding staffing Parks matter.
Finally, Mr. Wightman dispersed a detail expenditures list
was provided for review. Mr. Glassman noted on the
Reconciliation of Operating Surplus/Deficit Report,
currently the Net Operating Surplus is at $54,501.00. This
indicates available funds for the Park and Recreation and
Road Departments to maintain or break-even operation
surplus.
Mr.
Glassman addressed the Park Staffing Needs and Budget
Funding memo of November 7, 2009 by stating he understands
the need for additional personnel. Mrs. Lyons strongly
believes the Parks and Recreational staffing allocation
should be kept in place with its program coordination. With
Mr. John losing an employee a part-time position should be
filled. Mrs. Lyons asked if whether the fire codes
requirements are being met with a part-time fire inspector.
Although there is no requirement to complete business safety
inspections on a volunteering type basis, but it is
expected. Ms. Mason added that she checked with Tim Lutz of
the Pennsylvania Inter- Governmental Risk Management
Association (PIRMA) and the Township is covered on an
insurance basis if inspections are completed or not. Mrs.
Lyons then asked if additional
personnel
are going to be needed for the inspections. Mr. Salisbury
stated Acting Fire Marshal, Rick Schea is doing a good job. Ms.
Philo requested a clarification of Fire Marshal Salary allocated
on the 2009 budget. Mr. Wightman clarified the $41,299.00 is
allocated between the Fire Marshall, and Inspector’s salaries.
Ms. Philo then asked if fire inspections have been entered into
the budget. Ms. Mason indicated not at this time, but
discussions are in the works amongst the Board. Ms. Philo
motioned to place revenue in the budget to offset fire
inspections. MOTION FAILED.
Mr. Wightman
requested clarification on the fund balance for Parks and
Recreation’s part-time position salary. Ms. Mason confirmed the
funds will be offset by savings and authority to remove funds
for the master plan. Parks and Recreations programs are used
by residences and monies generated from these programs offset
costs. The departments have expanded and will need additional
assistance. Mr. Scarborough made a motion that program
coordinator position not be replaced for the Parks and
Recreation Department. MOTION FAILED.
Ms. Philo asked
if a cost of living percentage was added to the 2010 budget.
Mr. Wightman indicated the 3.5% cost of living is available. Mr.
Wightman will check the current cost of living for the area.
$410,000.00 is
able to be applied to the Debt Service Float for dedicated debt
services. Ms. Philo was not clear on the Debt Service item.
Mr. Wightman explained in order to get through the capital
items, such as the township roof replacement, storage facility
for police vehicles and brine collector. Over one year the
monies in the Debts Service will add up to $78,000.00, within
seven years the debt will be paid off. The Debt Service fund
will generate over $200,000.00 annually.
Ms. Philo and
Mr. Scarborough questioned the $60,000.00 for Activity Center
Parking Lot; they did not understand the need of building an
Activity Center Park Lot. With activities growing and becoming
more popular, a parking lot is justified. Ms. Philo made a
motion to remove the $60,000.00 item for Activity Center Park
Lot Fund. MOTION FAILED.
Mr. Bennett
made a motion to approve the recommended Capital Project items
to be included in the 2010 Budget, seconded by Mr. Scarborough.
MOTION ADOPTED 3 to 1, with Ms. Philo voting nay.
Mr. Wightman
informed the Board that he would like to finalize the 2010
Budget by Friday, November 13, 2009, in order to present for
approval at the next Board of Supervisors meeting. Mrs. Lyons
questioned if fire police are used, where $5,000.00 is
allocated. Although the fire police are allocated in the
budget, revenue reimburses the Township by who pays for special
police services.
$7,000 is
allocated for Township Administration training. Ms. Philo made
a motion to remove any monies allocated for training from the
2010 Budget. MOTION FAILED.
Ms. Philo made
a motion to remove Township employee’s salary increases for the
2010 Budget. MOTION FAILED.
Ms. Philo made
a motion to provide RFP’s for all Township’s professional
services. MOTION FAILED.
Clarification
was provided on the crossing guard allocation which has been
reimbursed by the Central Bucks School District in order to
offset costs.
Mrs. Lyons
encouraged all to email any changes to the 2010 Budget by
Thursday, November 12, 2009, so the Board of Supervisors may
approved by Tuesday, November 17, 2009.
Being no
further business the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully
submitted by,
Stephanie J.
Mason, Secretary
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